So Many Babies by Lorna Crozier

From the Publisher:

Where can you find animal babies? Why, nearly everywhere!
Perfect for babies and toddlers, this adorable board book features a wide variety of baby animals and explores all of the places they live, from bays to burrows and beyond. With colorful, easy-to-turn pages, this book is an essential addition to any little one’s library. Upbeat, rhyming text from award-winning poet Lorna Crozier creates a joyful reading experience, and warm, cheerful illustrations are sure to make the book a favorite.

Description:

The rhyming text by award-winning poet, Lorna Crozier, is lyrical and soothing. It is appropriate for both genders, as none is specified or emphasized. Kids will recognize favourite animals and be exposed to new ones. Young children will learn where the animals live as the habitat is loosely explored. Who can resist animal babies? The illustrations are bright and engaging. **Note: this title was selected as a Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens (Canada) for 2016.

My Experience:

My three loved being read this book, and each of them has picked it up on his/her own several times to look at and flip through. That is a big litmus test for me – I strategically place the books that I am reviewing where they can find them, and I know the favourites if they make a beeline for them and actually sit to flip through the pages. Of course, animals are a favourite around here, and the twins (17 mos) had a ball pointing and clapping and squealing and trying to say the words. My three year old loved learning about a few of the less common ones. The lyrical poem-like text was soothing, and good for a bedtime read, too.

Likes:

rhyming cadence of text is excellent for a read-aloud

bright colours and well-sized text with a readable font

Dislikes:

illustrations are beautiful and whimsical but some may not be realistic enough for children to recognize these animals in “real life”

Why/How Use it with kids:

great to use to introduce toddlers to the idea of babies – perhaps if they are to become a big brother or sister

have children think about other kinds of babies (more animals) and describe/draw them if they are able

draw pictures of families (their own, animals, etc.)

About the Author & Illustrator:

Lorna Crozier has authored numerous books of poetry and received many awards, including a Governor General’s Award, the Canadian Authors Association Poetry Award, the National Magazine Award (Gold Medal) and first prize in the National CBC Literary Competition. An Officer of the Order of Canada, Lorna has read her poetry on every continent except Antarctica, and in 2005 she recited a poem for Queen Elizabeth II as part of Saskatchewan’s centennial celebration. She is a Professor Emerita at the University of Victoria and lives on Vancouver Island with her husband, writer Patrick Lane and two cats who love to garden.

Laura Watson is an illustrator in Toronto, Canada and has been creating whimsical illustrations for children’s books, educational materials and magazines since graduating from Sheridan College’s Interpretive Illustration program in 1995. Laura also studied fine art at York University and graduated with an honors degree in visual arts. She with her husband and daughter and spends as much time as possible at the beach.